About

My name is Kelly Quarles. I began seriously photographing when I was a sophomore at Jersey Village High School in 2001. 

My first photography class was an analog film/darkroom class and I immediately fell in love with the image making process when my dad gifted me his old 35mm Olympus OM-1. I  was lucky enough to continue exploring the medium until my senior year, completing an AP portfolio of my photographic work. During these years, an intense passion and curiosity for the photographic medium, history and possibilities were instilled in me. My personal aesthetic and voice grew as an artist. I received a wide range of awards, scholarships, and exhibition opportunities literally across the world. 

I attended the University of Houston from 2004 until 2009 when I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Studio Arts with an emphasis in Photo/Digital Media. Many professors, mentors and peers guided and influenced my work during this period of time and beyond. I was able to transform my own work far beyond what I had previously imagined photography could ever become. 

I began teaching high school in 2009. I have taught at three different high schools in two different Houston area school districts. I have taught everything from Art1, Photo1 (darkroom and film based) to Digital Art Media 1, 2, 3, 4 and AP. I now teach a mostly digital based Photo2 Pre-AP, Photo3 Pre-AP and then also AP Photography. I have served as the Head Curriculum Writer for the entire district for the Digital Art Media program and I have continued to work with Camilo Gonzales at Aurora Picture Show as a Summer Filmmaking Boot Camp teacher each summer since 2010. I teach, lead and work with students from ages 8-15 to help them learn how to work together and create their very own short films in the span of a week. The results can be both inspirational and hilarious. The films screen at the Museum of Fine Arts at the end of the summer. Teaching always has it's ups and downs, but I feel truly honored to have worked with every student I have ever been able to watch grow and evolve over multiple years in my classes or just learn that maybe they aren't that bad at drawing after all...

I always thought of myself as a fine art artist and had no interest in pursuing a more commercial mode of making work.  However, I was inspired to shift my focus and explore what I have to offer commercially after many complaints from friends about their experiences with photographers for very important days such as engagements, graduations, and weddings.  I saw time and time again friends were disappointed with the photographs that are supposed to be those constant reminders of your most special day. I heard multiple times, "I should have just had you be the photographer, Kelly." I thought it was shame and made me sad that some of my friends didn't even want to show anyone their wedding photographs they were given and one never even received her final photographs! I have found that I absolutely love helping people create meaningful, beautiful images to commemorate their birthdays, graduations, engagements, and weddings.

It is refreshing and energizing to be working on my own photographic pursuits both artistically and commercially. I love working with people and surpassing their expectations for the photographs they receive from working with me. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you to help you create meaningful images that will stay with you forever.